Big Sky Preview - October 16

[BigSkyFootball]

Eastern Washington at Northern Colorado

EWU, coming off big win over Northern Arizona, will be confident going to Greeley. Northern Colorado is improved but they will not have enough to overtake the Eagles. EWU's Taiwan Jones is hurt again, the only Eagle question mark, but their defense will prevail in this one.
EASTERN WASHINGTON 28 NORTHERN COLORADO 12
Montana State at Northern Arizona

The Bobcats are playing at a high level right now. Their offense has finally elevated itself to the level of their traditionally strong defense. Their QB is definitely one of the up and coming stars of the Big Sky Conference. However, the Jacks defense is strong, particularly against the run. Last week they held EWU's Taiwan Jones to under a 100 yards before he went out injured in the fourth quarter. If NAU QB Michael Herrick returns after his injury in full strength, The Jacks could pull the upset here in the Dome in Flagstaff
NORTHERN ARIZONA 36 MONTANA STATE 28
Weber State at Idaho State

WSU' QB Cameron Higgins is back to his old tricks - scoring points for Weber. He'll put up big numbers against ISU on their "tartan track-like" football field. Idaho State has all kinds of problems on defense and they can't make up their minds about a QB. You know what they say . . . "if you have two QBs, you don't have one." This one might be over by half-time.
WEBER STATE 48 IDAHO STATE 10
Montana at Portland State

This is another interesting one: Portland State is improving and QB Connor Kavanaugh has embraced the new "pistol offense" run by the Vikings. Montana is still "the Big Dog" and will come into Portaland with an attitude. The weather may play a part in this one, as well. Nobody likes the rain and the Griz could be slowed a little by the Oregon rain. This one will be closer than most think with Montana flexing its muscles late and separating from PSU
MONTANA 40 PORTLAND STATE 24

[cats2506]

even if the weather is good, I dont see um scoring 40 on PSU

[Willie]

even if the weather is good, I dont see um scoring 40

That's what most people said for ISU though too.

[cats2506]

even if the weather is good, I dont see um scoring 40

That's what most people said for ISU though too.

ISU

[Willie]

And I can say the same for PSU. MSU was lucky they shit the bed last Saturday though.

[Silenoz]

even if the weather is good, I dont see um scoring 40 on PSU

It's funny how the Cats fans are raving about the PSU D, and yet they just laid 44 on them

[cats2506]

even if the weather is good, I dont see um scoring 40 on PSU

It's funny how the Cats fans are raving about the PSU D, and yet they just laid 44 on them

PSU's cb's are probably the best in the conference and caused us some problems in the pass game. Fortunatly for us PSU does not have a great run D

How is UM's run game coming along?

[AZGrizFan]

It's funny how the Cats fans are raving about the PSU D, and yet they just laid 44 on them

PSU's cb's are probably the best in the conference and caused us some problems in the pass game. Fortunatly for us PSU does not have a great run D

How is UM's run game coming along?

Perhaps the PSU D is the cure for what ails it...mmmmm?

[Silenoz]

It's funny how the Cats fans are raving about the PSU D, and yet they just laid 44 on them

PSU's cb's are probably the best in the conference and caused us some problems in the pass game. Fortunatly for us PSU does not have a great run D

How is UM's run game coming along?

I dunno, about as well as your pass defense probably

And just because it took your team nearly a half to figure a scheme out =/= great pass defense

[Willie]

I'd take TJ and Wilson long before I'd take a PSU CB.

[SACCAT]

I love when both Montana teams are playing good, It makes for some funny smack talk. Good luck to everyone this week. Should be another interesting one in the Big Sky.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

I love when both Montana teams are playing good, It makes for some funny smack talk. Good luck to everyone this week. Should be another interesting one in the Big Sky.

/me smacks SACCAT

For me, it's always in good fun thoguh. My dad graduated from MSU, my sister and I from The UM. My sister's daughter graduated from MSU and it makes for some interesting games.

[SuperHornet]

I'll accept Big Sky Bears' predictions. They look pretty good to me based on the last few weeks.

Or is it just that I'm feeling lazy with the Sac bye week?

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

My predictions:

Eastern Washington at Northern Colorado
EWU by 10

Montana State at Northern Arizona
MSU by 6

Weber State at Idaho State
WSU - 5 broken appendages between the teams but WSU wins by 10

Montana at Portland State
UM by 7 with lots of penalties and turnovers, why change the game plan now?

[frinq]

Fun to listen to the griz/cat talk here.Talk about bluster and bravado! Especially equating PSU with ISU. I hope the Montana team thinks that, but I'm sure they don't. It'll be a close game, and I have no idea who will come out on top.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

Fun to listen to the griz/cat talk here.Talk about bluster and bravado! Especially equating PSU with ISU. I hope the Montana team thinks that, but I'm sure they don't. It'll be a close game, and I have no idea who will come out on top.

I my prediction above, I was meaning the Da Griz would have lots of penalties and turnovers, we have all year.


If we ever get that fixed and a few other things.......
But se la vi

[SuperHornet]

Fun to listen to the griz/cat talk here.Talk about bluster and bravado! Especially equating PSU with ISU. I hope the Montana team thinks that, but I'm sure they don't. It'll be a close game, and I have no idea who will come out on top.

I my prediction above, I was meaning the Da Griz would have lots of penalties and turnovers, we have all year.


If we ever get that fixed and a few other things.......
But se la vi

I think you mean "c'est la vie."

[catbob]

I can't argue with OPs picks.

The only game that is probably in question is MSU @ NAU, although PSU could put up a fight against UM.

PSU runs the pistol pretty effectively, but the Griz defense has been solid against the run this year. PSU was able to find success early passing against the Cats, as the MSU secondary continue where it left off against Sac last week. Cavanaugh can beat you with his legs, but his throwing leaves a little to be desired. McCaffrey is a quick back with good vision, but doesn't get as many carries as you would think (just 82 on the year). PSU did a nice job knocking MSU and McGhee out of rhythm/timing, but the Cats were able to adjust. PSU will have their hands full with the UM wide receiver spread, and will depend if they can get any pressure on Roper. PSU's run defense isn't great either, so I look for Reynolds to have a solid day.

As for NAU and MSU, this is the game of the week in the Sky. The Jack defense will be the toughest test of the year for the Cats. The Cat OL has played admirably considering the injury turmoil that has occurred, but will really have to step up the plate against an active NAU line. If NAU is able to control the line of scrimmage and limit the MSU ground game (which has already amassed 1400 yards this year!), and force MSU to rely solely on the passing game, where NAU has a talented secondary (Estrada is a beast), then NAU may be able to create some turnovers.

I think the biggest question is will MSU be able to stop the NAU passing game (regardless of who starts, we haven't played well the last few weeks). MSU can be effective stopping the run with only a 4 man front, and if NAU isn't able to get the running game going, one of two things will happen. NAU will throw the ball more than they want, and either make a mistake or two or get sacked several times. Or, MSU won't be able to generate a pass rush and the Jack passing game will have a field day.

It'll be a very interesting matchup. If the Cats put together a complete game, they should win. But they haven't done that since the EWU game (and even that wasn't a perfect performance), and have given up big chunks of yards the last couple of weeks.

I just the MSU is too dynamic on offense (31 TDs, 516 yards per game, very balanced) for NAU. A few turnovers could easily change that, though.

[catbob]

And I can say the same for PSU. MSU was lucky they **** the bed last Saturday though.

Yes, pure luck. That was my impression leaving the stadium: man were we lucky to score 41 unanswered points there, otherwise we could have lost...

[Willie]

Yeah coming from behind to beat the worst team in the league is impressive.

[catbob]

Yeah coming from behind to beat the worst team in the league is impressive.

You guys played the worst team in the league, who, if you pay attention (it seems like you drift in and out), was blown out by PSU.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Point catbob.

[Willie]

I highly doubt PSU will score 28 like ISU did.

[SuperHornet]

I highly doubt PSU will score only 28 like ISU did.

FIFY.

[AZGrizFan]

I highly doubt PSU will score only 28 like ISU did.

FIFY.

Unless PSU has a guy named Devon Moore, I don't think they're scoring 28.